Computer Science: General Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Physics: Optics
Published

An innovative mixed light field technique for immersive projection mapping      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A novel mixed light field technique that utilizes a mix of ray-controlled ambient lighting with projection mapping (PM) to obtain PM in bright surroundings has been developed by scientists. This innovative technology utilizes a novel kaleidoscope array to achieve ray-controlled lighting and a binary search algorithm for removing ambient lighting from PM targets. It provides an immersive augmented reality experience with applications in various fields.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Environmental: Ecosystems Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Geography
Published

Virtual reality better than video for evoking fear, spurring climate action      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Depicting worst-case climate scenarios like expanding deserts and dying coral reefs may better motivate people to support environmental policies when delivered via virtual reality, according to a research team that studied how VR and message framing affect the impact of environmental advocacy communications. The study findings may help advocacy groups decide how best to frame and deliver their messages.

Biology: General Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Nature Geoscience: Geography
Published

Global wildlife study during COVID-19 shows rural animals are more sensitive to human activity      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

One of the largest studies on wildlife activity reveals that wild animals react differently to humans depending on where the animals live and what they eat. Bigger herbivores -- plant-eating animals like deer or moose -- tend to become more active when humans are around, while meat-eaters like wolves or wolverines tend to be less active, preferring to avoid risky encounters.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Ecology: Animals
Published

Less social with age      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Scientists tested several hypotheses on the drivers of social aging in free-living Assamese macaques in Thailand. The researchers collected data on the social behavior of females for eight years and found that the size of their social networks decreases with increasing age. The females continued to interact with their close social partners, but gradually withdrew from social interactions altogether. The results contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary origins of social aging.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Endangered Species Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Sea Life Geoscience: Geography Geoscience: Oceanography
Published

Shark-bitten orcas in the Northeastern Pacific could be a new population of killer whale      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers believe a group of killer whales observed hunting marine mammals including sperm whales, as well as a sea turtle, in the open ocean off California and Oregon could be a new population. Based on available evidence, the researchers posit that the 49 orcas could belong to a subpopulation of transient killer whales or a unique oceanic population found in waters off the coast of California and Oregon.

Biology: General Biology: Marine Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Geoscience: Environmental Issues Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Diverse habitats help salmon weather unpredictable climate changes      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Restored salmon habitat should resemble financial portfolios, offering fish diverse options for feeding and survival so that they can weather various conditions as the climate changes, a new study shows.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science Geoscience: Severe Weather
Published

Tropical birds could tolerate warming better than expected, study suggests      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

We expect tropical animals to handle a certain degree of heat, but not wild swings in temperature. That seems to be true for tropical ectotherms, or 'cold-blooded' animals such as amphibians, reptiles, and insects. However, in a new study of 'warm-blooded' endotherms, a research team found tropical birds can handle thermal variation just fine.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Cell Biology Biology: General Biology: Molecular Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals
Published

Sleep-wake rhythm: Fish change our understanding of sleep regulation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have discovered that some fish -- unlike humans -- do not need orexin to stay awake. This molecule was thought to be necessary for normal wake and sleep rhythms in vertebrates. Humans without orexin suffer from narcolepsy.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Chimp moms play with their offspring through good times and bad      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A recent study observing wild chimpanzees over a period of more than 10 years revealed that when food gets scarcer, the adults put play aside and focus on survival, while mother chimps continue to be their children's primary playmate -- suggesting their indispensable role to foster their young's physical and social development.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Opening new doors in the VR world, literally      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Recreating the action of opening doors in the virtual world requires engineering ways in which to provide the equivalent haptic feedback and steer users away from walls in the real world. A research group has done just this; developing RedirectedDoors+, which employs door robots and rotation to create a more realistic experience.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Straightening teeth? AI can help      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A new tool will help orthodontists correctly fit braces onto teeth. Using artificial intelligence and virtual patients, the tool predicts how teeth will move, so as to ensure that braces are neither too loose nor too tight.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Marine Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Sea Life Environmental: Ecosystems Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Sonic youth: Healthy reef sounds increase coral settlement      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Healthy coral reefs have rich soundscapes, full of the croaks, purrs, and grunts of various fishes and the crackling of snapping shrimp. Larval coral uses these sounds as cues to identify the best places to settle and grow. The authors found that sound could potentially be a vital tool in the effort to restore coral reefs. Broadcasting the sounds of a healthy reef to a reef that is degraded encourages coral larvae to settle there. This indicates that it's possible that 'acoustic enrichment' can be a key intervention to support imperiled reefs.

Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Geoscience: Geography
Published

New study shows how AI can help us better understand global threats to wildlife      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers used AI to scour information from websites and social media to map bat hunting and trade. Research found evidence of bat exploitation in 22 countries that had not previously been identified by traditional academic research. Following concerns about the reliability of the IUCN Red List, new research demonstrates how AI's ability to filter vast amounts of online data can support wildlife conservation.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals
Published

Tsetse fly fertility damaged after just one heatwave, study finds      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

The fertility of both female and male tsetse flies is affected by a single burst of hot weather, researchers have found.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Microbiology Biology: Zoology Ecology: Animals Offbeat: General Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Who knew that coprophagy was so vital for birds' survival?      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

New research explains how eating feces (known as coprophagy) shapes wild birds' digestive tracts (gut biota), enabling them to absorb lost or deficient nutrients and adjust to seasonal variations in food sources.

Ecology: Animals Ecology: Invasive Species Ecology: Nature Ecology: Trees Environmental: Ecosystems Environmental: General Geoscience: Earth Science
Published

Giant sequoias are a rapidly growing feature of the UK landscape      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Imported giant sequoia trees are well adapted to the UK, growing at rates close to their native ranges and capturing large amounts of carbon during their long lives, finds a new study.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: Biotechnology Biology: Cell Biology Biology: Evolutionary Biology: General Ecology: Animals Ecology: Extinction Ecology: Nature
Published

Gene flow in giraffes and what it means for their conservation      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Giraffes, with their bizarre body plan, have always held a special place in the minds of evolutionary biologists and non-experts alike. In a new study whole-genome sequencing data was used to investigate the evolutionary processes occurring within giraffes. In particular, the authors were interested in establishing whether different populations of giraffes really have been isolated from each other for extended periods of time, which is normally a requirement before new species can arise.

Biology: Biochemistry Biology: General Biology: Zoology Chemistry: Biochemistry Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR)
Published

Natural history specimens have never been so accessible      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers have painstakingly taken computed topography (CT) scans of more than 13,000 individual specimens to create 3D images of more than half of all the world's animal groups, including mammals, fishes, amphibians and reptiles.